Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-2, 7 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by HAO et al. (Patent No: US2020/0358503 A1), hereinafter, HAO.
Regarding Claim 1, HAO teaches,
A user equipment (UE) comprising: a transceiver configured to enable wireless communications with a base station; - Paragraph [0059] ([0059] recites, “At the UE 120, the antennas 452a through 452r may receive the downlink signals from the base station 110 and may provide received signals to the demodulators (DEMODs) in transceivers 454a through 454r, respectively.”)
and a processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver, and configured to: receive, using the transceiver, a configuration message from the base station; -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0012] ([0012] recites, “Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communication by a UE. The method generally includes receiving a CSI-RS resource configuration from a BS of one or more CSI-RS resources associated with a CSI report. The CSI-RS resource includes a set of CSI-RS ports.)
determine a first set of antenna ports based on the configuration message; -Paragraph [0087] ([0087] recites, “the BS may send a bitmap to the UE indicating, for each of the set of CSI-RS ports, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement (e.g., using X bits to indicate for each of the X available CSI-RS ports).”)
wherein the first set of antenna ports is in a code division multiplexing (CDM) group; -Paragraph [0088-0089] ([0088-0089] recites, “in one implementation, the ports may be divided into 8 groups of 4 ports each (e.g., {0,1,2,3}, {4,5,6,7}, {8,9,10,11}, {12,13,14,15}, {16,17,18,19}, {20,21,22,23}, {24,25,26,27}, {28,29,30,31})…….. The groups of CSI-RS ports may include groups of CDM CSI-RS ports or of component CSI-RS resources. For example, CSI-RS ports may be grouped with other CSI-RS belonging to the same CDM group or component CSI-RS pattern. The partitioning and/or the size of the groups may be configured by the network via higher layer signaling or may be fixed in the wireless standards (e.g., and preconfigured in the BS and UE).”)
determine a second set of antenna ports in the CDM group, wherein the first set of antenna ports are different from the second set of antenna ports: -Paragraph [0090-0091] ([0090-0091] recites, “ the BS can send a 2-stage (e.g., hierarchal) bitmap (e.g., first and second bitmaps). The first stage of the bitmap may indicate, for each CDM group or CSI-RS component, whether that CDM group or CSI-RS component is used for channel measurement or interference measurement, for example, whether any (one or more of the) of the CSI-RS ports in that group are used for channel measurement or interference measurement. For example, for CDM4 as shown in FIG. 10, the first stage bitmap may be 8 bits (e.g., 11110000 indicating the first four CDM group/CSI-RS component resource is used for channel measurement)… The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement.”As explained above, second set of antenna ports are differentiated by the bit map)
perform channel estimation on the first set of antenna ports; -Paragraph [0091] ([0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement…… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).”)
and refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports based on the configuration message -Paragraph [0008, 0091] ( [0008] recites, “The BS partitions the set of CSI-RS ports into groups of CSI-RS ports. The BS provides a first indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for channel measurements and/or a second indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for interference measurements. “ [0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement …… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).” Bitmap dictates whether the ports to be used or should not be used for interference estimation. In the above example first four ports are used for channel estimation while should refrain from interference estimation. Any ports can be assigned by the base station to be used/refrain from doing channel/interference estimation using the bitmap)
Regarding Claim 2, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 1.
HAO further teaches,
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a capability type of the UE, wherein the capability type indicates whether the UE supports the second set of antenna ports; and perform or refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports based on the capability type and the configuration message. -Paragraph [0084] ([0084] recites, “The indicated subset of CSI-RS ports may be based on a capability of the UE for performing CSI feedback reporting, based on other UEs the BS schedules some of the CSI-RS ports to perform channel measurements, and/or based on CSI-RS ports the BS schedules the UE to perform interference measurements. For example, the BS may indicate some CSI-RS ports for the UE to perform channel measurements, the BS may indicate other CSI-RS ports for the UE to perform interference measurements,”)
Regarding Claim 7, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 1.
HAO further teaches,
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive, using the transceiver, a second configuration message from the base station, wherein the second configuration message includes one or more sets of antenna ports; -Paragraph [0008] ([0008] recites, “The BS provides a first indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for channel measurements and/or a second indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for interference measurements.”)
determine that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports; -Paragraph [0010] ([0010] recites, “ The CSI-RS resource includes a set of CSI-RS ports. The at least one processor is further configured to partition the set of CSI-RS ports into groups of CSI-RS ports. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to provide a first indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for channel measurements and/or a second indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for interference measurements.”
and in response to determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports, refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports. -Paragraph [0091] ([0091] recites, ““The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement …… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).” Bitmap dictates whether the ports to be used or should not be used for interference estimation. In the above example first four ports are used for channel estimation while should refrain from interference estimation. Any ports can be assigned by the base station to be used/refrain from doing channel/interference estimation using the bitmap.)
Regarding Claim 10, HAO teaches,
A method of operating a user equipment (UE) comprising: receiving a configuration message from a base station; -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0012] ([0012] recites, “Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communication by a UE. The method generally includes receiving a CSI-RS resource configuration from a BS of one or more CSI-RS resources associated with a CSI report. The CSI-RS resource includes a set of CSI-RS ports.)
determining a first set of antenna ports based on the configuration message; -Paragraph [0087] ([0087] recites, “the BS may send a bitmap to the UE indicating, for each of the set of CSI-RS ports, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement (e.g., using X bits to indicate for each of the X available CSI-RS ports).”)
performing channel estimation on the first set of antenna ports; - Paragraph [0091] ([0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement…… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).”)
and refraining from performing channel estimation on the second set of antenna ports, - [0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement …… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).” Four ports with bitmap 0000 refrain from performing channel measurements. Bitmap dictates whether the ports to be used or should not be used for channel estimation. In the above example first four ports are used for channel estimation while rest of the four ports should refrain from channel estimation. Any ports can be assigned by the base station to be used/refrain from doing channel/interference estimation using the bitmap)
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 3, 5-6, 11-13, 15, and 18-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HAO in view of MANOLAKOS.
Regarding Claim 3, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 2.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: generate a capability report based on the capability type of the UE; and transmit, using the transceiver, the capability report to the base station.
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: generate a capability report based on the capability type of the UE; -Paragraph [0056] ([0056] recites, “In some aspects, the UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report”)
and transmit, using the transceiver, the capability report to the base station. -Paragraph [0056] ([0056] recites, “In some aspects, the UE includes means for transmitting, to a base station, an indication of a recommended null resource element pattern or a recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern. In some aspects, the UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report or a CSI report.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “generate a capability report based on the capability type of the UE; and transmit, using the transceiver, the capability report to the base station.
” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 5, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 2.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports, and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive, using the transceiver, a second configuration message that includes a legacy antenna port table.
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports, and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive, using the transceiver, a second configuration message that includes a legacy antenna port table. -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0078-0079] ([0078-0079] recites, “In some aspects, the value may correspond to an antenna port field in an antenna port table. The antenna port table may indicate one or more DMRS ports for UE 120 and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing (CDM) groups without data. As shown in FIG. 4, BS 110 and UE 120 may be configured such that BS 110 and UE 120 use an antenna port table that has available rows, an additional field, an additional column or reserved bits among other examples to indicate the null RE pattern. Note that third operation 415 may take place before or during operations 405 and 410, and that BS 110 may configure UE 120 to use the antenna port table at operation 405.” As shown in Fig. 4, UE is receiving configuration message (405) that includes antenna port table.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports, and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive, using the transceiver, a second configuration message that includes a legacy antenna port table” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 6, HAO and MANOLAKOS combination teach the limitations of Claim 5.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The UE of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that that the capability type of the UE is capability 0 or default capability; and refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports.
However, MANOLAKOS teaches,
The UE of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that that the capability type of the UE is capability 0 or default capability; and refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports. -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0077][0056] ([0056] recites, “In some aspects, the UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report ..”[0077] recites, “ BS 110 may select a null RE pattern from the set of null RE patterns based at least in part on information about communication conditions, a location of UE 120, a capability of UE 120..” [0069] recites, “FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the use of null resource elements signaled in an antenna port field for demodulation interference estimation in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure…” It is easily understandable from the above recitations to an ordinary person with the skill in the art that based on the UE capability (in the capability report), BS signals Null resource elements for UE to perform interference estimation (Fig. 4). If UE does not have the capability, it is conveyed in the UE capability report (default) and UE refrains from interference estimation.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determine that that the capability type of the UE is capability 0 or default capability; and refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports.” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 11, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 10.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly mention,
The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining a capability type of the UE; generating a capability report based on the capability type of the UE; transmitting the capability report to the base station; and performing or refraining from performing channel estimation on a second set of antenna ports based on the capability type of the UE
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining a capability type of the UE; generating a capability report based on the capability type of the UE; transmitting the capability report to the base station; -Paragraph [0056] ([0056] recites, “In some aspects, the UE includes means for transmitting, to a base station, an indication of a recommended null resource element pattern or a recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern. In some aspects, the UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report” AS explained above in the UE capability report, UE indicates number of resources (DMRS/Antenna port) it supports)
and performing or refraining from performing channel estimation on a second set of antenna ports based on the capability type of the UE. -Paragraph [0038] ([0038] recites, “the UE determines a channel estimate, and cancels the channel estimate before calculating interference for the non-null resource element. For null resource elements, the UE may proceed with measuring interference without first determining, and subsequently canceling, any channel estimates for the null resource elements.” As explained above, the UE may perform/refrain channel estimation on second set of antenna ports supporting the null resource elements)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determining a capability type of the UE; generating a capability report based on the capability type of the UE; transmitting the capability report to the base station; and performing or refraining from performing channel estimation on a second set of antenna ports based on the capability type of the UE” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Claim 12 is the method claim corresponding to the apparatus claim 5 which is rejected above. The Applicant’s attention is directed towards Claim 5. Claim 12 is rejected under the same rational as Claim 5.
Regarding Claim 13, HAO and MANOLAKOS combination teach the limitations of Claim 11.
HAO further teaches,
-[0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement …… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).” Four ports with bitmap 0000 refrain from performing channel measurements. Bitmap dictates whether the ports to be used or should not be used for channel estimation. In the above example first four ports are used for channel estimation while rest of the four ports should refrain from channel estimation. Any ports can be assigned by the base station to be used/refrain from doing channel/interference estimation using the bitmap)
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The method of claim 1 1, further comprising: determining that that the capability type of the UE is capability 0 or default capability;
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
The method of claim 1 1, further comprising: determining that that the capability type of the UE is capability 0 or default capability; -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0077][0056] ([0056] recites, “In some aspects, the UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report ..”[0077] recites, “ BS 110 may select a null RE pattern from the set of null RE patterns based at least in part on information about communication conditions, a location of UE 120, a capability of UE 120..” It is easily understandable from the above recitations to an ordinary person with the skill in the art that based on the UE capability (in the capability report). If UE does not have the capability, it is conveyed in the UE capability report (default))
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determining that that the capability type of the UE is capability 0 or default capability;” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 15, HAO teaches,
A base station comprising: a transceiver configured to enable wireless communication with a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE; -Fig. 1, 4; Paragraph [0057] (Fig. 1 shows BS communicating with multiple UEs. Fig. 4 shows the block diagram of BS/UE with different components including transceiver (MOD/DEMOD))
and a processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver, and configured to: -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0057] (Fig. 4 shows BS block diagram with processor, transceiver (Mod/Demod/antenna))
-Paragraph [0006] ([0006] recites, “ The indicated subset of CSI-RS ports may be based on a capability of the UE for performing CSI feedback reporting, based on other UEs the BS schedules some of the CSI-RS ports to perform channel measurements, and/or based on CSI-RS ports the BS schedules the UE to perform interference measurements. For example, the BS may indicate some CSI-RS ports for the UE to perform channel measurements”)
; -Paragraph [0012] ([0012] recites, “In some aspects, a base station for wireless communication includes a memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to transmit, to a UE, DCI that includes an indication of a null resource element pattern. The null resource element pattern may be indicated in the DCI using: a value of an antenna port field that also indicates one or more DMRS ports for the UE and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing groups without data, or a zero power downlink reference signal.” Second set of antenna ports are without data or zero power downlink reference signal)
wherein the configuration message configures the first UE to perform channel estimation on the first set of antenna ports -Paragraph [0091] ([0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement…… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).”)
and refrain from performing interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports; -Paragraph [0008, 0091] ( [0008] recites, “The BS partitions the set of CSI-RS ports into groups of CSI-RS ports. The BS provides a first indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for channel measurements and/or a second indication to the UE of a subset of the groups of the CSI-RS ports to be used by the UE for interference measurements. “ [0091] recites, “The second stage of the 2-stage bitmap indicates, for each CSI-RS port in each group indicated in the first stage of the bitmap, whether that CSI-RS port is to be used for channel measurement or interference measurement …… For the CDM8 example shown in FIG. 12, the second stage bitmap may be 8 bits for each group/CSI-RS component resource (e.g., 11110000 indicating the four ports are used for channel measurement).” Bitmap dictates whether the ports to be used or should not be used for interference estimation. In the above example first four ports are used for channel estimation while should refrain from interference estimation. Any ports can be assigned by the base station to be used/refrain from doing channel/interference estimation using the bitmap)
and transmit, using the transceiver, the configuration message to the first UE. -Paragraph [0014] ([0014] recites, “The apparatus generally includes a receiver configured to receive a CSI-RS resource configuration from a BS of one or more CSI-RS resources associated with a CSI report. The CSI-RS resource includes a set of CSI-RS ports….”BS transmits the configuration from the antenna (transceiver))
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly mention,
receive, using the transceiver, a capability report from the first UE; generate a configuration message based on the capability report, wherein the configuration message assigns a first set of antenna ports to the first UE, wherein the configuration message further assigns a second set of antenna ports to the second UE or be vacant, and wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are in a code division multiplexing (CDM) group;
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
receive, using the transceiver, a capability report from the first UE; -Paragraph [0056] ([0056] recites, “In some aspects, the UE includes means for transmitting, to a base station, an indication of a recommended null resource element pattern or a recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern. In some aspects, the UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report or a CSI report.”)
generate a configuration message based on the capability report, wherein the configuration message assigns a first set of antenna ports to the first UE, -Paragraph [0006] ([0006] recites, “ receiving downlink control information (DCI) that includes an indication of a null resource element pattern. The null resource element pattern may be indicated in the DCI using: a value of an antenna port field that also indicates one or more DMRS ports for the UE and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing groups without data, or one or more zero power downlink reference signals.” DCI is generated at base station and sent to UE with antenna ports)
wherein the configuration message further assigns a second set of antenna ports to the second UE or be vacant, and wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are in a code division multiplexing (CDM) group; -Paragraph [0012] ([0012] recites, “In some aspects, a base station for wireless communication includes a memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to transmit, to a UE, DCI that includes an indication of a null resource element pattern. The null resource element pattern may be indicated in the DCI using: a value of an antenna port field that also indicates one or more DMRS ports for the UE and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing groups without data, or a zero power downlink reference signal.” Second set of antenna ports are without data or zero power downlink reference signal)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “receive, using the transceiver, a capability report from the first UE; generate a configuration message based on the capability report, wherein the configuration message assigns a first set of antenna ports to the first UE, wherein the configuration message further assigns a second set of antenna ports to the second UE or be vacant, and wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are in a code division multiplexing (CDM) group; ” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 18, HAO and MANOLAKOS teaches the limitations of Claim 15.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The base station of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to: generate a second configuration message that includes one or more sets of antenna ports; determine that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports; and generate the first configuration message to assign the second set of antenna ports to be vacant.
However, MANOLAKOS teaches,
The base station of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to: generate a second configuration message that includes one or more sets of antenna ports; -Fig. 4; Paragraph [0078][0039] ([0078] recites, “In a second operation 410, BS 110 may indicate the null RE pattern in DCI. For example, BS 110 may indicate a value that corresponds to a value or index in a table, array, or other data structure among other examples. In some aspects, the value may correspond to an antenna port field in an antenna port table. The antenna port table may indicate one or more DMRS ports for UE 120 and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing (CDM) groups without data.” [0039] recites, “the BS may indicate the null resource element pattern in the DCI using a value of an antenna port field that also indicates one or more demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports for the UE and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing groups without data.” Configuration message sent from BS to UE through DCI)
determine that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports; and generate the first configuration message to assign the second set of antenna ports to be vacant. -Paragraph [0008] ([0008] recites, “In some aspects, a method of wireless communication performed by a base station includes transmitting, to a UE, DCI that includes an indication of a null resource element pattern. The null resource element pattern may be indicated in the DCI using: a value of an antenna port field that also indicates one or more DMRS ports for the UE and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing groups without data, or a zero power downlink reference signal. The method may include transmitting a downlink communication based at least in part on the null resource element pattern indicated in the DCI.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “generate a second configuration message that includes one or more sets of antenna ports; determine that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports; and generate the first configuration message to assign the second set of antenna ports to be vacant.” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 19, HAO and MANOLAKOS teaches the limitations of Claim 15.
HAO does not explicitly mention,
The base station of claim 15, wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are demodulation reference signals (DMRS) antenna ports.
However, MANOLAKOS further teaches,
The base station of claim 15, wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are demodulation reference signals (DMRS) antenna ports. -Paragraph [0078] ([0078] recites, “..The antenna port table may indicate one or more DMRS ports for UE 120 and a number of DMRS code-division multiplexing (CDM) groups without data.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “the first and the second sets of antenna ports are demodulation reference signals (DMRS) antenna ports.” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Claims 8-9, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HAO in view MANOLAKOS and further in view of MEI et al. (US 2024/0097857 A1), hereinafter, MEI.
Regarding Claim 8, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 2.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly mention,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 1; determine that the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports; and perform interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports.
However, in an analogous invention MEI teaches,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: -Paragraph [0025] ([0025] recites, “In some embodiments, the indication of co-scheduled DMRS ports can be used to determine at least one of the following: (1) whether there are DMRS ports configured for the co-scheduled UES for interference estimation (also referred to as interference DMRS ports), (2) the number of interference DMRS ports in total, if configured, and/or (3) whether at least part of the interference DMRS ports are legacy DMRS ports or new DMRS ports. For example, in some embodiments, a total number of DMRS ports for all co-scheduled UE(s) or a total number of DMRS ports in each CDM group is indicated to a target UE, and the target UE can derive whether there are interference DMRS ports, the number of interference DMRS ports, and/or whether or which of these interference DMRS ports are legacy DMRS ports or new DMRS ports based on the indication.” As explained above, UE determines from the indication the total no of DMRS (antenna) ports, set of DMRS ports (second set) for interference estimation and whether the interference DMRS ports are legacy or new DMRS ports.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determine that the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports; and perform interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports” of MEI. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to improve channel demodulation performance and provide reliable, robust communications [0022].
Although implicit, HAO and MEI combination explicitly do not mention,
determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 1;
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 1; -Paragraph [0056] ([0056] recites, “UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report “ As explained above, in the UE capability report, UE sends BS it’s ability of supporting interference estimation and suggests null resource element pattern. It is easily understandable to an ordinary person with the skill in the art that the UE could be of capability 1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 1;” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 9, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 2.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly mention,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 2;determine that the first set of antenna ports are a combination of legacy antenna ports and new antenna ports; and perform interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are a combination of legacy antenna ports and new antenna ports.
However, in an analogous invention MEI teaches,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: -Paragraph [0025] ([0025] recites, “In some embodiments, the indication of co-scheduled DMRS ports can be used to determine at least one of the following: (1) whether there are DMRS ports configured for the co-scheduled UES for interference estimation (also referred to as interference DMRS ports), (2) the number of interference DMRS ports in total, if configured, and/or (3) whether at least part of the interference DMRS ports are legacy DMRS ports or new DMRS ports. For example, in some embodiments, a total number of DMRS ports for all co-scheduled UE(s) or a total number of DMRS ports in each CDM group is indicated to a target UE, and the target UE can derive whether there are interference DMRS ports, the number of interference DMRS ports, and/or whether or which of these interference DMRS ports are legacy DMRS ports or new DMRS ports based on the indication.” As explained above, UE determines from the indication the total no of DMRS (antenna) ports, set of DMRS ports (second set) for interference estimation and whether the interference DMRS ports are legacy or new DMRS ports or a combination of both.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determine that the first set of antenna ports are a combination of legacy antenna ports and new antenna ports; and perform interference estimation on the second set of antenna ports, wherein the second set of antenna ports are a combination of legacy antenna ports and new antenna ports.” of MEI. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to improve channel demodulation performance and provide reliable, robust communications [0022].
Although implicit, HAO and MEI combination do not explicitly mention,
determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 2;
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 2; -Paragraph [0056] ([0056] recites, “UE includes means for indicating the recommended null resource element pattern or the recommended number of resource elements for the null resource element pattern in at least one of a UE capability report “ As explained above, in the UE capability report, UE sends BS it’s ability of supporting interference estimation and suggests null resource element pattern. It is easily understandable to an ordinary person with the skill in the art that the UE could be of capability 2.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “determine that the capability type of the UE is capability 2;” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Regarding Claim 14, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 10.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly mention,
The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a second configuration message from the base station, wherein the second configuration message includes one or more sets of antenna ports; determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports; and in response to determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports, refraining from performing channel estimation on the second set of antenna ports.
However, in an analogous invention, MEI teaches,
The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a second configuration message from the base station, wherein the second configuration message includes one or more sets of antenna ports; -Table. 1; Paragraph [0023-0025] ( [0023] recites, “Besides the parameters that schedule the data portion of the transmission, the DCI signaling message also carries various parameters, such as an antenna port(s) field, to indicate parameters associated with the non-data portion of the transmission (e.g., DMRS transmission). Table 1 shows one example mapping table for the antenna port(s) indicated by a DCI message.”)
determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports; -Paragraph[0024] ([0024] recites, “.. In other cases, the UE can estimate the interference based on the other DMRS ports (e.g., in the same CDM group or different CDM groups) according to the indicated DMRS ports and the number of CDM group number without data.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “receiving a second configuration message from the base station, wherein the second configuration message includes one or more sets of antenna ports; determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports;” of MEI. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to improve channel demodulation performance and provide reliable, robust communications [0022].
Although implicit, HAO and MEI combination do not explicitly teach,
and in response to determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports refraining from performing channel estimation on the second set of antenna ports.
However, in an analogous invention, MANOLAKOS teaches,
and in response to determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports refraining from performing channel estimation on the second set of antenna ports -Paragraph [0038] ([0038] recites, “For null resource elements, the UE may proceed with measuring interference without first determining, and subsequently canceling, any channel estimates for the null resource elements.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “in response to determining that the one or more sets of antenna ports include the first set of antenna ports refraining from performing channel estimation on the second set of antenna ports” of MANOLAKOS. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve communications between access points and stations in a wireless network [0007].
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HAO
in view of CHIEN et al. (Patent No: US 2022/0377798 A1), hereinafter, CHIEN.
Regarding Claim 4, HAO teaches the limitations of Claim 2.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the capability type further indicates whether the UE is a legacy UE or a new UE.
However, in an analogous invention, CHIEN teaches,
The UE of claim 2, wherein the capability type further indicates whether the UE is a legacy UE or a new UE. -Paragraph [0043-0044] ([0043-0044] recites, “…The device type related information may explicitly comprise a UE identity, a device type, or a UE capability of the extended device type UE……. The extended device type, such as the RedCap UE type, may be defined in a telecommunication network using a new UE type (i.e., a new UE category) or a new set of UE capabilities.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “the capability type further indicates whether the UE is a legacy UE or a new UE.” of CHIEN. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to reduce UE power consumption, and balance network load [0016].
Claims 16 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HAO in view of MANOLAKOS and further in view of Davydov et al. (Patent No: US 2016/0173262 A1), hereinafter, Davydov.
Regarding Claim 16, HAO and MANOLAKOS teaches the limitations of Claim 15.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The base station of claim 15, wherein the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports, and wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports.
However, Davydov teaches,
The base station of claim 15, wherein the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports, and wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports. -Paragraph [0121] ([0121] recites, “In various embodiments, wherein a DCI bit or RRC signaling is used between a new {antenna port(s), scrambling identity and number of layers} mapping table and a legacy {antenna port(s), scrambling identity and number of layers} mapping table to determine antenna ports used for PDSCH transmission.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “the first set of antenna ports are legacy antenna ports, and wherein the second set of antenna ports are new antenna ports.” of Davydov. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to provide performance improvements of the different physical channels, such as, but not limited to the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH), and the like [0036].
Regarding Claim 17, HAO, MANOLAKOS and Davydov teach the limitations of Claim 16.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly teach,
The base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration message includes a legacy antenna port table.
However, Davydov teaches,
The base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration message includes a legacy antenna port table. -Fig. 7; Paragraph [0012] ([0012] recites, “FIG. 7 is a legacy {Antenna port(s), scrambling identity and number of layers indication} mapping table according to various embodiments;”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “configuration message includes a legacy antenna port table” of Davydov. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to provide performance improvements of the different physical channels, such as, but not limited to the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH), and the like [0036].
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HAO in view of MANOLAKOS in view of BAE et al. (Patent No: US 2022/0191903 A1), hereinafter, BAE.
Regarding Claim 20, HAO and MANOLAKOS teach the limitations of Claim 19.
Although implicit, HAO does not explicitly mention,
The base station of claim 19, wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are configuration type 1 or configuration type 2 DMRS antenna ports, and wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are mapping type A or mapping type B DMRS antenna ports.
However, BAE teaches,
The base station of claim 19, wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are configuration type 1 or configuration type 2 DMRS antenna ports, -Paragraph [0286] ([0286] recites, “Alternatively, the length of the front-loaded DMRS may be determined based on a DMRS antenna port and a configuration number (e.g., maxLength).”)
and wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are mapping type A or mapping type B DMRS antenna ports. -Paragraph [0192] ([0192] recites, “…PDSCH mapping Type A or PDSCH mapping Type B may be indicated by TDRA. For PDSCH mapping Type A, the DMRS is located in the third symbol (symbol #2) or fourth symbol (symbol #3) in a slot. For PDSCH mapping Type B, the DMRS is allocated in the first symbol allocated for the PDSCH.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CSI-RS PORT SUBSET INDICATION” proposed by HAO to include the concept of “first and the second sets of antenna ports are configuration type 1 or configuration type 2 DMRS antenna ports, and wherein the first and the second sets of antenna ports are mapping type A or mapping type B DMRS antenna ports.” of BAE. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to improve the reliability of PUSCH/PDSCH transmission [0227].
Response to Argument(s)
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claims have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to any of the references being used in the current rejection.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/AHMED SAIFUDDIN/Examiner, Art Unit 2475
/ABDULLAHI AHMED/ Examiner, Art Unit 2475